Pocket-knife.



E. MALLON.

POCKET KNIFE.

nruomm'n nun JAN. 21, 1909.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

Invenior Eras? MczZZon :Aiioz" ey Wz'i'zzesses PATENT OFFIGE.

ERNST MALLON, 0F SCHUNEBERG, NEAR BERLIN, GERMANY.

POCKET-KNIFE.

Application filed January 21, 1909.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ERNST MALLoN, merchant, a subject of the King of Prussia, residing at Hauptstrasse 95, Schoneberg, near Berlin, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pocket-Knives, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pocket knives and the like.

In pocket knives as heretofore constructed there is the disadvantage that after a relatively short use the blades do not close properly but remain half open, thus frequently causing injuries to the carrier or user. The reason for this is as follows: Owing to the frequent opening and closing of the blades, the short. ends thereof resting against the spring gradually wear at one portion more than another as the spring is not of the same width as the blade. The spring must have at the sides a certain amount of space for play, while the blade must completely fill the space between the inner scales or casing, with its end resting against the spring so that the blade end projects at the sides somewhat over the spring. In consequence thereof a fine ridge which later on becomes wider, is formed at this part of the blade owing to the repeated opening and closing thereof. This ridge jams itself in between the spring and scales and gradually increases in width to such an extent that it even loosens the rivets thus loosening the handle of the knife. Further this ridge prevents the action of the spring so that the spring cannot act with full pressure on the blade and consequently the blade which should remain closed frequently remains half open. On the other hand the blade is pushed more and more aside so that the spring presses only on a steadily narrowing strip of the blade, thus accelerating the wear of this strip.

The object of this invention is to remove this disadvantage by allowing the spring to project over the tang of the blade at both sides so that it is impossible for such a ridge to form. It is true that pocket knives are known in which the spring inserted between the scales is wider than the tang or foot of the blade but in these knives, however, the problem underlying this invention is not solved as the spring and blade tang are so relatively arranged that the formation of the undesirable ridge still occurs.

The present invention may be carried into Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

Serial No. 473,539.

effect in various ways. For instance in such a manner that the spring is widened at the sides at the point of contact with the blade, that is, the spring somewhat projects or overlaps the metal scales. According to a second form the blade of the knife may be narrowed at the point of contact with the spring by pressing or grinding in such a manner that the spring projects on both sides beyond the tang or foot of the blade.

In the accompanying drawings two forms of carrying the invention into effect are shown.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a knife designed in accordance with this invention in side elevation and rear elevation, while Figs. 3 and t are a side elevation and front'elevation respectively of a modification of the in vention.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the spring a is widened at the ends Z), which make contact with the blade in such a manner that the widened portion covers the two knife scales 0. The widened portion Z) of the spring may be covered over at the sides by the ornamental or outer scales.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the tang or foot of the blade (Z through which the securing rivet is passed is narrowed at c by pressing, grinding or cutting away in such a manner that the spring projects beyond the tang at both sides asmay be seen from the plan view in Fig. 4.

The essence, that is the chief feature of the invention consists in this that in both cases care is taken that the spring at the point of contact with the blade projects on both sides over the tang of the blade.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be per formed I declare that what I claim is:

An improved pocket knife or the like in which the spring inserted between the scales projects on both sides uniformly over the tang of the blade for the purpose of preventing the formation of a ridge and the consequent forcing apart of the handle of the knife substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ERNST MALLON. lVitnesses:

OLDEMAR HAUPT, HENRY HAsrER. 

